I'M BACK!

Jesse's Parents & Wonderful Hosts for Mom's Visit - David & Carol Slade

Okay, Okay - I'm the worst Blogger EVER! I had so much fun with my Mama out here in California, and we both vowed to "take a break" from everything - When I dropped her off at the airport yesterday I realized that I hadn't updated Dad's Blog since the 18th... Ugh, sorry!! :)

So anyway... Dad is still in Decatur at Bop & Gingin's house (Mom's parents). He is still being taken great care of by Molly & Johnnie, but is having some of the same problems as last week... Dizziness (low blood pressure), trouble swallowing (skinny esophagus) & lack of mobility in his right arm. We have made doctor's appointments for him on Friday at St. Vincent's for the cardiologist - Who will hopefully adjust his blood pressure medication & perhaps even prescribe something different altogether (& less expensive) - He is also having another esophagial dialation, which is supposed to be done about every 2 weeks until he is back to normal.

Eddie Burg is having lunch & a tour of The Foundry with Hugh Thomas today - I'm looking forward to hearing about that. Mom & I did the same thing back in January, and found the facility totally comfortable. We are hoping to drop him off there on Friday after the doctor's appointments... Unfortunately, he can't stay in Decatur forever! :)

Sooooo... While Mom was out here we mostly just spent time visiting with each other & Jesse's family (Mom-Carol, Dad-David, Middle Brother-Tyler)... We enjoyed spa services one day (Mom-Massage, Hallie-Facial), mine thanks to my wonderful boyfriend as a birthday gift! I introduced mom to Pilates, we ate dinner at a super fun Mexican restaurant in LA, and threw a Princess Party at my house for the cute 5 year old that lives below me, Camille. Mom helped me work a Bridal Fair, which was not very fun, ha. On Monday we headed into LA to be "cheesy tourists" - Drove through Bel Air & Beverly Hills and saw some amazing houses, stopped for lunch (no shopping) on Rodeo Drive & then headed to the historical Beverly Hills Hotel where we enjoyed a glass of wine in the Polo Lounge spotting Patrick Dempsey, Rosanna Arquette & Sharon Stone!! This was the day after the Oscars... The bartender said we should have come the day before because "they" were all there! We also walked in front of the Chinese Theater (stars names on sidewalk) & Kodak Theater (where American Idol is being filmed right now)... And wrap it up on Tuesday, I took her to lunch at In N Out Burger... California's finest, ha.

XOXO Hallie

Hanging in There...

Kate - Hallie - Jesse

So... Mom talked to the Gastro Doctor (G.I.) yesterday afternoon, who said that Dad's esophagus still needs to be stretched 2/3 of the way open because of the small tube that was going into his stomach (must have closed around it) - Yikes! He said that it is a VERY slow process because if you stretch it too fast, you run the risk of ripping it - In which case, that is a long long long hospital recovery. The GI doc said that he was hoping to have Dad come in every 2 weeks for stretching, so we're going to have to organize those appointments soon. In the meantime, Dad said he felt good enough yesterday to power through it for the next few days - Mom is scheduled to fly out to California to visit me tomorrow morning (Yay!), and Dad felt like he was good enough to get through the weekend without her.

We had a nice conversation yesterday, and he actually sounded like he was in a good mood for the first time! He said he "had it made" at Bop & Gingin's house - And that of course he was incredibly appreciative & is being extremely polite (said he hasn't said one cuss word, ha). Molly & Johnnie (Gingin's nurses) check on him regularly - And they cook about 3 meals a day, so he has good nutrition at his fingertips... We are going to have to somehow repay them & Bop for their generosity! He complains of having some problems swallowing here & there, but for the most part he's been able to get food & drink down. And we are still working on getting a hold of his Cardiologist to chat about his medication.

Mom will be in Cali Thurs-Tues... We are going to enjoy time at my beach house, dining with Jesse & his family, and getting massages!! :)

XOXO Hallie

Still Struggling...

Good Morning!

Quick update - Dad is still struggling with his blood pressure/stamina, right arm & throat. He called mom today to tell her that he felt like he needed to have his esophagus stretched again. We cannot get it done in Decatur, and are considering taking him back to St. Vincent's to be re-admitted (we would hope). I am VERY concerned that the hospital may have released him entirely too early without making sure that his medications were on point. The blood pressure medication that he is on doesn't seem to be working very well - Not to mention it's REALLY expensive - And after reading up on it, it seems it is a fairly new drug... Who knows. Mom & I have left messages for the Cardiologist to talk about alternative medication options & his opinion on Dad's current health...

Love, Hallie

Chillin with Gingin

Dad has made it up to Decatur safe & sound thanks to Eddie & Tina Burg (they are awesome!!). He is relaxing in Bop & Gingin's "red room" for the time being to try and regain his strength. He spent the night last night at his condo in Birmingham, and said he finally got a good night's sleep (although is still very tired)... He is thinking that his blood pressure medication is still a bit off because he gets VERY dizzy only walking a short distance. Bop & Gingin's house will be a good place for him right now because it is one level, and Gingin's nurses are there all day long... Bop is the most amazing Grandfather EVER... Boy am I super lucky to have him! Dad got to see his dog Hattie for the first time today since going into the hospital, which he was very excited about.

With regards to recovery/rehab... The Foundry is still on the top of the list. And Mom also heard about a program in Anniston called The Center of Hope - I just pulled up their website, so I'm going to look into that a bit more... Again, just for more choices for Dad.

Mom is coming out to visit me in California on Thursday - I can't wait! We are going to relax, eat good food, drink good wine & spend time by the ocean!!

XOXO Hallie

The Goose is Loose!!

Well... they finally decided to release the hound!!  I... courteously... found out by calling the nurses station to check on him & they told me that he had been discharged... Really!?  Dad called Nuss & Lynn - Who so generously came to pick him up from the hospital and took him back to his condo.  He's been relaxing and watching basketball in his chair all afternoon/evening and is happy as a clam to be out of the hospital.  Eddie Burg stopped by to check on him & said that he had his front door open to breathe in the fresh air... then kindly went and got him McDonald's (which Dad still reported tasted like cardboard - having some tastebud problems still).  Nuss & Lynn were scheduled to stop back by for dinner, etc.  Mom also went by & got his prescriptions filled for his heart medication.  Dad is planning on heading up to Decatur tomorrow to spend a few days or so at my grandparent's house (Bop & Gingin) - Gingin has nurses, Molly & Johnny, that are around to keep a watchful eye & a stomach full of food for Daddio... And then I'm assuming he'll head to The Foundry.  Jesse & I stopped by The Dream Center in LA today to take a peek, but no one was around to really give us a tour - AND Mom had a great point that if anything happens physically to him over the next year he has the support of St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham to go to complimentary... So perhaps, in all reality, he should stay "home".  :)  Only time will tell... A good attitude is my biggest concern at this point...

Love y'all oh so much!  I couldn't have done all of this without the love & support of you!

Hallie

Birmingham or LA?

Rockin out in honor of Dad!

Bobby - Ann - Nuss - Judy - Lynn

I haven't spoken to a nurse this morning... It's hard to get people on the phone over there!! I know yesterday he had another Esophagial Dialation because he was still struggling with his swallowing, and therefore the discharge that they were thinking of yesterday has been once again pushed back a little bit (okay by me!). His blood pressure was looking better yesterday as well, but that was before PT had been by, so I'm not sure what happened after he exerted some energy - Trying to find out!! :)

Jesse's amazing mom Carol helped me research treatment options in LA... She came across The Dream Center, which is similar to The Foundry, but just another option. It is located in downtown LA - It is free, faith-based and they do a LOT for the community. Selfishly, I would love for him to choose this option because I would be able to participate in the family program as well as visit him every week... However, if he chooses The Foundry then of course he has a little guardian angel in Hugh Thomas there! Hugh is visiting him this morning (not yesterday), so I am still looking forward to hearing about that conversation. And Hugh also told me that his fellow staff at The Foundry had great things to say about The Dream Center. I called Dad this morning & had a brief conversation with him just simply letting him know the option of LA treatment, but didn't get any type of answer from him. Of course, if he chooses neither then we have some problems...

A special thanks to Hugh Thomas, who has been incredibly hands on & supportive in figuring out aftercare plans!!

Getting Closer

Not much to report today... I spoke to Dad last night, so he was able to wish me a "Happy Birthday" which was great! I also spoke with his nurse today, who said that his blood pressure is looking better (140/70... I think??) - PT hasn't been by yet today to test his BP after a little excercise, so that will really be the kicker! They didn't work with him yesterday because they didn't want him to pass out while he was walking around since his blood pressure was so low, so hopefully today will bring a better outcome.

I am still working diligently on aftercare plans...!?!? Bama...? LA...? I told Dad to be prepared to talk to me today about "serious stuff", so I'll let y'all know first thing when we decide anything at all! Plus Hugh is visiting him this morning to discuss The Foundry again, so I'm anxious to hear his response...

Thank you so much for everyone's birthday wishes!!

Love you! Hallie

Trip Recap

Ooooookie Doooookie - I do apologize for the delay in Blogs, as it was a rather exhausting weekend with little computer access!  Dad is mostly stable, as he has been - Their final & main concern seems to be two things:

1.  Low Blood Pressure - They are working on stabalizing his blood pressure medications to keep his blood pressure up.  It seems every time he sits up in bed, and especially when he walks around with PT, his blood pressure drops A LOT (79/40 while I was there)... This is a big concern because obviously they don't want him to pass out when he is on his own after discharge.  They don't seem to be too alarmed... Just working on the right combination of medications, which I hear can take a while for Cardiac patients.

2.  Mobility in his Right Arm/Shoulder - This is definitely not keeping him in the hospital, but it is something they are working on, and that he will need continuing PT for... They think that it is due to nerve damage in his C4 disk (in his neck) - I am wondering if the position of his head in the ICU had something to do with this (he always had left ear to left shoulder, drastically).  I'm not sure if this is something that can be handled by therapy, or if they will have to fix it surgically.  He can move his right hand & forearm, but when moving his entire arm he picks it up with his left arm... Which is most frustrating when he is trying to eat.

Other than that, I worked on an "attitude adjustment" with him, which will hopefully stay after my departure.  :)  He got denied for a facility called Lakeshore Rehabilitation in Birmingham, which would have been an interim stop to continue his PT/OT rehab... They actually said he was "too well-off" (healthwise) for them... Not the worst news you could get, I suppose.  However, now discharge is definitely peaking its head around the corner, and I am still working on where he is going to go (and he is working on making some decisions too)... The Foundry (he has reservations about this)?  Elsewhere?  Ugggghhhhh.

A special thanks to Marion & Jon, Eddie & Tina and my wonderful Mama - Who all were so amazing this weekend.  Marion threw a wonderful little birthday party for me on Sunday night, and Eddie & Tina made the most delicious fried shrimp on Monday night (Jesse had never seen fried shrimp being made, I don't think, ha)... Not to mention Eddie's continuous words of encouragement & support (and a kick in the ass) to my Dad!!  

And it was fabulous seeing everyone else:  Ann Thomas, James, Kate, Nuss & Lynn, Bobby & Cindy, Thula, Grayson, Carolyn & Sean, Miller & Ryan (all the way from ATL), Jennifer & David, Elizabeth (& of course Savannah), my Decatur family (Ann, Mary Virginia, Sarah, Lily, Caroline & Bop) etc etc etc!!  AND last but not least... John Parker Wilson, who graced us with his presence at the table nextdoor during Sunday brunch after hearing a fabulous sermon from Gates Shaw - ROLL TIDE!  :)  (I know I'm forgetting someone, please forgive me....)

Love y'all!  Hals

Back in Bama

We landed a little after 7pm last night, and made it to the hospital shortly thereafter. Dad was good, actually. He was grumpy, of course... And mom had a tons of hilarious grumpy-Billy stories from being there all day (she almost just let his wheel chair roll down the hill on a little venture outdoors...) - But we were thankful that we had Jesse with us so that he had to sort of "behave" in the evening... He was still grumpy, but doing the usual Billy thing... Making himself giggle a little along the way. My best friends from college, Bridget & Jason, sent Dad a balloon a few weeks ago while he was in the ICU... As soon as we got there and he was talking about how "wacked out" he was, he pointed to the balloon and said "Get that thing outta here!!" He told us he had been having a "staring contest" with it for days now and that it wouldn't ever say anything back to him.... Hahahhahahahah, we were dying laughing.... He was somewhat serious, but knew what he was talking about - Knew that he was just going crazy from coming off the sedatives and being in the hospital for so long. He compared the balloon to "Wilson" in the movie Castaway... :)! Anywho... We visited for about 30 minutes then he kicked us out because he wanted to try and get some sleep.

We are on our way back up there right now - Hoping to finally talk to a DOCTOR, darnit!! We are trying to figure out a discharge timeline... People were mentioning today, but a doctor that stopped by yesterday said "no way"... He is throwing up his food (according to him, want to find out why), and still has very little mobility in his right arm (mostly shoulder... due to nerve damage in his C4 disk apparently...). He is still coughing a bunch, but they seemed to be "productive", and he was spitting "loogies" into a cup. :) He is VERY skinny... Looks eerily like my Grandmother right now...

Okay!! Can't wait to see some of y'all! After church we are off to hear the wonderful Gates speak at Christ Church...

Love, Hallie

Hmmmm...

Well, I spoke to Dad early this afternoon & mom talked to the nurses late this morning. He is having trouble eating - Mostly because he cannot control his right arm very easily, so according to him he is "wearing his food". He was drinking some Ensure when I called, and a physical therapist was supposed to bring some weights back up to the room to work with his right arm - Although it doesn't seem like physical therapy is working with him as much as it sounds like he needs. He is still weak walking, and his right arm is an issue... Which are obvious concerns for his discharge. He seemed okay mentally... Just frustrated & wanting out of the hospital. He thinks they may discharge him on Sunday, which would only be great since I'll be there to help. We are trying to contact the social worker again about extended care facilities. And I put the "rehab" bug in his ear on our phone conversation, but plan to explore that further in person. He said that he MUST get back to his house to clear his head before he will cooperate with any further plans - He will NOT go from one facility directly to another. I am okay with that as long as it's a limited amount of time (24-48 hours), and if I am there to look after him & moniter his health/actions, etc. I looks like there is a chance that Jesse & I may play a little "Nurse" this weekend...

I'm sorry that this update is a bit short & sweet... My workday is CRAZY with a looney-toon bride & groom on their way up for their reception, and trying to get all my ducks in a row to leave tomorrow!! Can't wait to see everyone!! I must admit, I'm a bit overwhelmed today...

Love, Hallie

The Countdown Begins!

Bobby - Judy - Za - Fig - Nuss - Phil of the Forrest - Lynn

(And yes, that is Nuss saying a big "Rolllll Tide")

Well... They are speaking of "discharge", estimated within the next 2-4 days... YIKES!!! They conducted an esophagial dialation yesterday, which did open up his blocked esophagus and he is back on food & drink orally! He is still receiving the TPN nutrition through an IV to ensure proper nutrition because his gastro-muscles don't seem to be fully functioning so he loses his appetite very quickly... But they did take him off the the amioderon drip & he is receiving that medication orally. Being able to eat & take medication orally is the first step towards discharge. I am very worried about his mobility though. The most he has walked is 200 feet with a walker... Probably wouldn't help him get up & down those steep steps to his condo. I spoke to him this morning, and he sounded okay - He said he was "still real beat up", but wasn't overly grouchy with me. He did describe to me about his esophagus & gastro muscles, so he seemed very oriented. He also said he was still weak physically, and thought he needed to get moving a little more because walking wasn't his strong point. He was the one that first mentioned discharge, so I hung up quickly after and called the nurse who confirmed the plans.

AND - The social worker called Mom to talk about aftercare plans since discharge is looming. Hugh Thomas (on staff at The Foundry) is going to return the social worker's call to discuss what shape he needs to be in to enter The Foundry's program, and hopefully she will have some recommendations. Let me back up... We are crossing our fingers that he accepts treatment with The Foundry, but he does need to be in decent physical shape in order to live there - Therefore, before The Foundry there may be an aftercare program (kind of like assisted living, but for people of all ages) that would have medical staff & physical therapists to work with his strength, etc. That way he wouldn't go back to his condo alone... I'm hoping we can avoid that at all costs! We are researching our options...

It seems like Jesse & I are coming back at a good time after all! We are still requesting the Doctor's conference either Sunday or Monday. I had the nurse give Dad a letter I had prepared for him talking about "life after the hospital", and what we have done while he has been there - So I am anxious to see his attitude after reading that letter (it's a little touchy)...

Love you! Hals

Life in 4 Bottles

A little joke from Ryan... :)

Last Night & This Morning

Hola!  Last night's nurse was WONDERFUL - Jennifer - She spent a long time on the phone with me... Not too much new information, but here goes...

• Throat - They found an esophageal block in Dad's throat.  They were attempting to put a feeding tube into his stomach through his nose to get him off of IV nutrition (both the nurses, then radiology tried), however they couldn't even get the tube into his esophagus because there was something blocking the opening.  She didn't know what "it" was... Perhaps a swollen muscle, or something like that... She said they were going to do more therapy with him today, and she thought there was processes that they may look into that would dialate his esophagus... Hmmmmm...?  This sounded like the main concern at this point.
• Disorientation - She said that he seemed much more oriented last night than he had the night before (when he fell), which was definitely nice to hear.  He was being super grumpy-pants with her, and she actually said to him, "Now, Mr. Pierce you don't need to be hateful with me..." - He told her he didn't mean to be, and then had a nice conversation with her about how he just feels so "restricted & uncomfortable" from all of the IVs, etc in his arms (he has things going in both arms & a blood pressure thingy that has to measure his blood pressure every hour while he's on the amioderon (sp?) drip for his heart rate).  She said that he did seem to be "forgetful" and asked if he was like that prior to his hospital stay, which I answered no, and she just said "hopefully that'll wear off."  She also said he listened to the radio yesterday and watched a movie.
• Catheter - It's out!  I bet he's happy about that... :)

Velba's Morning Report - He didn't sleep well last night (what's new).  They are going to have to wait until he finishes his swallow studies before they move forward with any feeding tube or oral feedings... They are doing more stimulating therapy on his throat today.  Physical therapy also had him walking around yesterday, and she's sure they'll be back around today as well.  His vital signs are stable.  She said right now he was "resting".  I always want to know what he's doing when I call - Ha, they probably think that's  weird, non-medical question!

I have requested a Doctor's conference for Sunday or Monday when Jesse & I are in town so that I can get another "full" update and "what to expect/how to move forward" kind of report... Hopefully that is helpful in determining his quality of life, and how he can live with his heart problems, etc.  

XOXO Hals

Ha Ha from Za...

MY LIVING WILL

Last night, my friend and I were

sitting in the living room and I said to her,
"I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine, and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug.'"

She got up, unplugged the Computer, and threw out my wine.

She's such a bitch...

(Please excuse the profanity...)

Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday

Miller-Pam-Ryan-Dad-Bobby-Karen-Grandma-Grandpa

(Photo Courtesy of Ryan Robson)

Well - What to report for today... Hmmmmm...

• Dad Fell Last Night - He fell at about 12am... The night nurse (who called me at 3:30am, ahhhhh makes me so nervous) let me know that he got out of bed & fell at the end of the bed. He's totally okay according to her - They have his "bed alarms" on, which alert them if he gets out of bed, so when they rushed in there he was on the ground "on top of his legs", so it didn't seem like a dramatic fall - As if he maybe collapsed a little instead. His legs are still very weak.


• Chest X-Ray - He had a recent chest x-ray that looked the same as the one prior, which means his lungs have not been improving very much lately. He's obviously still breathing on his own, but we need them to heal a bit better... :(


• Throat - When I called this morning they were in the middle of shaving him & starting another throat treatment... Hopefully that goes well today & they can perform another Barium Swallow Test in the near future and get him eating/drinking again soon.

I think that's all I have for now... I'm VERY anxious to see him this weekend in person, and hopefully give him a little "attitude adjustment" (ahem, Mom)!!

He does have his cell phone, but I would strongly urge people to not call it - That's just my personal opinion though. I don't think he needs to be bothered anymore than he already is simply by the nursing staff...??

No Mas ICU

Looking a Little Better!!

(Photo Courtesy of Kate Oatman - 2/2 Visit)

They have set him free!  From the ICU, that is... Dad is now in room 571 in the 5-West section of the hospital (the same way you got to the 1st ICU, but keep going down the hall past the waiting room).  I'm still trying to figure out the phone situation... He does have a phone in his room now, but knowing Dad he would be VERY angry if it rang all the time, ha... He also now has possession of his cell phone, I believe... So I was going to wait until I talked to him again to see if he wants people to call either his cell phone and/or his room.  Stay tuned on that.

His throat muscles are still acting up (ahem, not acting at all) - They were supposed to do another Barium Swallow Test on his today, but the Speech Therapist wanted 2 more days of the electrode/stimulating therapy... I think he was able to have just a few ice chips this morning.

Other than that... His disorientation seems the same, if not a tiny bit better.  And I believe he is walking around with the assistance of a walker... However, I'm only hearing this from visitors, as opposed to when I ask his nurses (they say he just moves from bed to chair & back), so perhaps all this walking is during his "escapes"... Who knows... :)

Not much else to report... I'm a little nervous that he is out of the ICU - Mainly worrying if his heart were to act up again... And also that he seems to be a bit of a rebel, or pain in the ass with regards to listening to the nurses' requests... Ha!  I'm hoping to talk to a doctor soon about "what's next" - And how long we should expect his stay to be from here!  

Love y'all & can't wait to see some of you this weekend!!  Hals

3 Concerns

Mom visited Dad last night & this morning (and I believe she is going back again for the afternoon hours).  Her visits haven't been too uplifting... :(  She says he is VERY disoriented... He keeps trying to get out of the bed & walk down the hallway (but is too weak, so of course they don't want him to hurt himself)... Then he doesn't really understand why they stop him.  He had to be restrained last night, finally, because it was super restless.  There was a new Hospitalist that came around - Mom said she was great!  However, they have three main concerns right now...

1.  His Disorientation - They are going to watch him closely on this...

2.  Infection - His tests are coming back showing another infection... Maybe Pneumonia again, but they aren't quite sure yet

3.  Throat Muscles - Although they are progressing, they aren't progressing very quickly, so he is STILL on IV food, which they didn't expect at this point.

I'm going to get another report from Mom after her afternoon visit, and I'll update again!  I feel like this update is a bit vague... Hopefully we'll get some answers on this stuff soon.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!  Love, Hallie